RS-11A/B, CONTRACT XG-1355 AND CONTRACT RD-85 T.O. 2, TRIP REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03424A002400050015-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 20, 2011
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: April 12, 1956
• Content Type: MEMO

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Office Memorandum'. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
FROM
56
SUBJECT: RS-11A/B, Contract XG1355 and Contract T.U. , epo
on 2 April 1956 to monitor the subject contracts,
which concern e - B and the AC power supply and hand crank genera-
tor for the RS-11A/B. Present were:
2. Equipment Status - The Laboratory had completed tests of the
initial sample RT-11B with corrective action indicated. The first sample
RR-11A was ready. for delivery with the second sample to be air mailed
next week. The contractor has phoned that initial progress was being
made on the RS-11A/B Power System. Two RR-11B receivers are scheduled
for delivery on 15 April 1956.
3. Harmonic Radiation - Initial discussions concerned excessive
3rd and 4th harmonic radiation reported by the Laboratory. Harmonic
radiation below 70 megacycles was considered satisfactory; however,
when the 3rd or 4th harmonic fell above 70 megacycles (TV band), lab-
oratory tests, while'not positive, indicate that the 4th harmonic might
be greater than the 2nd or that the 3rd was only 12 db down from the fund-
amental indicating an unwanted series resonance, parasitic oscillation
or faulty test equipment. Causes, remedies, and test procedure was dis-
cussed, is without adequate test equipment (Stoddart field
intensity meter , but agreed to make tests with a receiver having a sig-
nal strength meter and a television set and to telephone corrective
action. It was stressed that further efforts to minimize harmonic radi-
ation by transmitter circuitry adjustments should be made prior to
resorting to the installation of a low pass filter in the antenna circuit.
4. RF output with crystal removed - The Laboratory reported that
there was some RF output at the low end of.the.band of RT-11B Serial No. 1.
None for Serial No. 2. This was a problem with the initial RT-11A samples
and the subject of an earlier report. A very simple modification involving
a compartment change of the oscillator - am lifier coupling condenser com-
pletely corrected the RT-11A deficiency. was asked to investi-
gate the RT-11B~in the same manner.
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5. Dial Calibration - A second sample RR-llA was available to take
back to Washington' and a trial RR-11B dial scale was available for inspec-
tion. Neither the RR-11A or tentative RR-11B scale have sufficient gradu-
ations for the scale length. To demon s, random frequencies were
selected between graduation marks with engineers doing the tuning.
A crystal frequency meter was then tuned to the selected frequency to check
tuning accuracy. Although tuning accuracy was satisfactory, this test de-
monstrated the need for additional dial calibration marks. The addition
of more calibration marks is complicated on the B receiver because of in-
sufficient tape width for both numerical presentation and additional cali-
bration marks. The contractor was authorized to delete fractional mega-
cycle figures at the high end of scale in favor of additional calibration
points. A better solution to the problem would be to increase the scale
width which does not appear possible without major redesign.
6. Frequency Shift Due to Handling - When the RR-11A sample was
handled, a frequency shift occured when pressure was exerted on the case
cover. The frequency shift (maximum of 2500 cycles was measured) is pro-
portional to the mechanical movement of the case cover which lies directly
over the oscillator stage. advised that this sample did not have
the latest correction which sis ed of the simple addition of a screw
securing the case cover to the condenser mount at a point adjacent to the
oscillator stage. Since this screw could become loose, it is felt that
frequency shift due to handling can be completely and permanently elimi-
t
na
ed with a more rigid case cover as evidenced in the RR-11AA.
has been so advised.
7. The 3B4 oscillator of the RT-11A does not provide sufficient
drive for. the RT-11B; the redesigned oscillator of the RT-hlB consists
of two lAK4ts with series filament and parallel plates with increased
drive at a saving of 65 ma. Printed circuitry is also provided. The
RT-11B oscillator circuitry thus represents improved design by simplifying
production (printed circuitry in the oscillator stage), reduction of a
tube type, reduction in current drain, and increased drive. It is felt
that these advantages justify the additional tube. 0 said he would
substitute such circuitry in the next RT-11A (first formal prototype).
8. AC Power Supply - Power transformer design has been completed
and fabrication has commenced. An output of 8 watts RF nominal is planned
for the 2 5A6 output tubes. A 30 watt input is planned to deliver 21.8
watts output as follows:
225 volts at 90 ma
2.25 volts at 1 amp.
125 volts at 15 ma
1.25 volts at 500 ma
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9. Hand Crank Generator - The contractors proposal for the
RS-11A/B hand crank generator suggests a unit having the dimensions of
the receiver and transmitter combined (without batteries) and a cubic
volume of 70 cubic inches. The principal component size-wise is the
generator. itself. The additional circuitry including filters, regula-
tors, etc., may be quite compact.. The contractor advised that the
_INew Hampshire, have indicated that they can design a
satisfactory generator of such dimensions that the complete equipment can
be housed in a volume of 35 cubic inches (or the dimensions of a single
RS-11A/B component). Such is aim, and this would mean that a
single RS-11Q/B carrying case could contain an RS-11A/B with two batteries,
the AC power supply and the hand crank generator. There would be no room
for accessories. 0 will seek authority from the Contracting Officer
to increase the amount of funds which may be used for sub-contracting.
The present limitation is $1,000 without approval, and it is estimated
that hand crank development will cost between $3,000 and $4,000.
10. Additional Equipment for AF - The Contracting Officer plane
that the additional RS-11A and RS-11B units will'be procured as an
extension of XG-1355 and that the RS-11C units and engineering services
will constitute a new Task Order to Contract RD-85. proposal
as submitted by the former management was $920.00 per p , plus
$7,250.00 for engineering services for C or D units. This Office feels
that reasonable engineering services, per C or D unit might approximate
$3,000.00 without condenser redesign, or the full $7,250.00 with con-
denser redesign. The former management planned new condenser design.
The new management feels that specifications can be met without condenser
redesign for the C unit (sought by the AF) and is required for the D
unit (not the AF). Consequently, the Contracting Officer has
requested to submit a cost breakdown of engineering services.
The above was explained to the company and a cost reduction should be
reflected in the cost breakdown.
11. ~ - the company - Contractual performance seems to be
borderline satisfactory. Management is tardy in reports to the contrac-
ting officer. The lack of senior engineering supervision is becoming
more apparent, and it was stated that is absent a good deal of
the time. Rumors at the IRE show and at are that they were
by
bidder on a 3 to 4 million dollar contract with the Weather Bureau.
the Treasurer under the old mana ement who was later dropped
= has been reinstated by said he
was forwarding a request for partial payment on XG-1355 for 426..000,
which would bring the total to around $100,000. The undersigned expressed
the opinion that it was doubtful that the Contracting Officer would
-3-
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E~ n I Ir f Ir \ 1 ~y ^ ;v r`11 ~~
Vu' IJIL/~,L J
authorize such a payment until such time as formal acceptance of the
sample prototypes is received.
-4-
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